Postdoctoral Scholar - Cancer biology at University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY
FULL-TIME
Posted Sep 17, 2026
Job Description
Postdoctoral Scholar - Cancer biology job at University of Kentucky. Lexington, KY.
Postdoctoral Scholar – Cancer biology
NCI-designated Comprehensive Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky Job Description
One NIH-supported Postdoctoral scholar position is immediately available for highly motivated individuals in the laboratory of Dr. Ren Xu at the Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky ( . The lab’s research focuses on understanding the roles of tumor microenvironment (TME) components, including adipocytes, fibroblasts, immune cells, and extracellular matrix in breast cancer metastasis and therapeutic resistance. There has been remarkable progress in cancer treatments resulting in improved long-term survival.
However, metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy, target therapy, and immunotherapy remains a significant challenge. Our lab is working toward addressing these questions. Specifically, we believe the cancer cell-TME interaction is critical for cancer dissemination and therapeutic resistance. Our research has recently been published in PNAS, Nature Cell Biology, Nature Communications, and Cancer Research.
The goal of the Xu Lab is to pioneer basic and translational research in breast cancer so that we can find a better way for cancer treatment. For this, we will employ cutting-edge technologies, including mouse models, multi-omics, advanced bioinformatics, patient- derived models, and patient samples to understand the nature of cancer cell-TME interaction and explore how to target TME. The candidate will investigate molecular mechanisms by which TME facilitates cancer metastasis and therapeutic resistance, leveraging cutting-edge computational biology, state-of the art imaging technologies, mouse and patient-derived models.
Basic education, experience and skills required for consideration:
• PhD in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology or related field with a strong publication record.
• Previous experience in mouse models, cancer biology, molecular biology, genetics, or bioinformatics is highly desired but not required.
Lexington is a beautiful university town in the middle of Kentucky, where you can balance work and family very well.
Contact email: ren.xu2010@uky.edu
Postdoctoral Scholar – Cancer biology
NCI-designated Comprehensive Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky Job Description
One NIH-supported Postdoctoral scholar position is immediately available for highly motivated individuals in the laboratory of Dr. Ren Xu at the Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky ( . The lab’s research focuses on understanding the roles of tumor microenvironment (TME) components, including adipocytes, fibroblasts, immune cells, and extracellular matrix in breast cancer metastasis and therapeutic resistance. There has been remarkable progress in cancer treatments resulting in improved long-term survival.
However, metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy, target therapy, and immunotherapy remains a significant challenge. Our lab is working toward addressing these questions. Specifically, we believe the cancer cell-TME interaction is critical for cancer dissemination and therapeutic resistance. Our research has recently been published in PNAS, Nature Cell Biology, Nature Communications, and Cancer Research.
The goal of the Xu Lab is to pioneer basic and translational research in breast cancer so that we can find a better way for cancer treatment. For this, we will employ cutting-edge technologies, including mouse models, multi-omics, advanced bioinformatics, patient- derived models, and patient samples to understand the nature of cancer cell-TME interaction and explore how to target TME. The candidate will investigate molecular mechanisms by which TME facilitates cancer metastasis and therapeutic resistance, leveraging cutting-edge computational biology, state-of the art imaging technologies, mouse and patient-derived models.
Basic education, experience and skills required for consideration:
• PhD in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology or related field with a strong publication record.
• Previous experience in mouse models, cancer biology, molecular biology, genetics, or bioinformatics is highly desired but not required.
Lexington is a beautiful university town in the middle of Kentucky, where you can balance work and family very well.
Contact email: ren.xu2010@uky.edu
Additional Details
- City
- Lexington
- State
- Kentucky
- Country
- US
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